MINSK, November 23. /TASS/. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) remains an integral part of ensuring security in the Eurasian region, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.
"Our organization remains an integral element of ensuring the security of its member states and the Eurasian region as a whole," Lukashenko said at the opening of the CSTO Collective Security Council session.
He recalled that in November 2022, during a Collective Security Council session in Yerevan, the priorities of the Belarusian chairmanship were set both on the internal and external contours. "On the internal contour, we sought to increase the cohesion of the CSTO member states in order to strengthen the organization itself, as well as to ensure security and stability in the zone of responsibility," the president said. "On the external contour, our goal was to strengthen the role and significance of the organization in the system of international relations," he pointed out. Lukashenko stressed that "the goals set by the Belarusian side in November 2022 have, in general, been achieved."
According to him, some tasks have been completed, and the implementation of others continues. "Undoubtedly, the results of the work are a collective success, the merit of all of us - the parties to the CSTO. Without the support of friends and partners for the priorities of the Belarusian chairmanship, we would not have been able to implement what we had planned," he emphasized.
According to Lukashenko, the year as a whole has been fast in terms of the geopolitical situation, so the work schedule has been intense. In particular, since spring, Belarus has hosted almost monthly CSTO events, while the organization's countries have held a number of exercises aimed at strengthening the CSTO's military component.